Mayor's Weekly Messages

Always a leader in innovation, Stone Brewing is now creating yet another reason for craft beer fans to visit Escondido. Stone Brewing and San Diego-based Untitled Hospitality have announced their partnership to construct a brewery-themed hotel across the street from Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.

As you might expect, the 99-room, 100,000 square foot Stone Hotel will reflect the high quality, creativity and unconventionality of all Stone projects. It will offer a wide variety of unique guest experiences ranging from a bar-style lobby check-in to oversized guestrooms, all in excess of 375 square-feet. Each of the rooms will showcase details such as custom designed furniture and floor-to-ceiling window systems, which flip open to an expansive balcony, providing an open-air in-room experience. Stone Hotel’s event facilities will include an 8,000 square-foot ballroom, a 10,000 square-foot rooftop garden located adjacent to the pool deck, as well as nearly an acre of outdoor event space

The City of Escondido is enthusiastic about Stone Hotel which will be our first boutique hotel. It will draw not only beer-centric travelers and other leisure visitors, but also will create new jobs and generate significant tax revenues to support city services.

Stone Hotel will be located at 1990 Citracado Parkway and is anticipated to open in 2018.For more information about Stone Hotel, visit www.stonebrewinghotel.com

Two years ago, the Escondido Police Department spearheaded an initiative called the Neighborhood Transformation Project (NTP). The NTP is a five-year comprehensive plan to address issues like graffiti, loitering, vandalism and other appearance and safety concerns, one neighborhood at a time, using an interdepartmental approach. The departments working on the NTP include Police, Neighborhood Services, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Economic Development and others, as well as community and faith-based partners.

After successful completion of the first two NTP areas (the first in the South Escondido Boulevard area and the second and most recent on the east end of the City), I am pleased to announce that the third NTP area will focus on the west side of Escondido. A map of the area is on the Escondido Police Department web site at https://police.escondido.org/ntp.aspx .

Last week, a community meeting was held at West Side Park to kick off the start of the new NTP area. About 50 neighbors attended and heard presentations from Chief Carter and other police department representatives about their plans for cleaning up the area.

The Escondido Police Department is committed to ensuring a safe community. Their intent with the NTP is to create a long term solution that results in measurable crime reduction and an enhanced quality of life in our neighborhoods. For the next 18 months, expect to see increased patrols as well as special enforcement efforts in the west side neighborhood. You can also expect to see other city departments (Code Enforcement, Public Works, Neighborhood Services, etc.) focusing their efforts and devoting resources to the neighborhood.

The Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is currently the most significant insect threat to oak trees in California and is killing oak trees in San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties. The beetle is native to Guatemala, southern Mexico, and southeastern Arizona. Researchers believe that the goldspotted oak borer was introduced into southern California on firewood or expanded its range from native regions. Currently there are no effective tools for protecting trees once infestation occurs.

Dying oak trees not only diminish the beauty of our landscape, but also impact property values, increase health hazards in high-use areas, diminish wildlife habitat, and change the fuel structure in areas prone to wildfire. Due to the current and potential impacts to California oaks and communities, public and private organizations are working together in the research, education and outreach efforts related to GSOB pest management.

Since the GSOB is transported in oak firewood, it is critical that Californians keep firewood local and not move it out of the area. Here are some immediate steps to help stop the spread of GSOB:

Use firewood from local sources - “Buy it Where you Burn It”

Leave firewood at home - do not transport it to recreational cabins, campgrounds or parks

Anyone planning to purchase or burn firewood is encouraged to visit www.firewood.ca.gov to learn how help stop the spread of GSOB and other pests through the movement of firewood. For more information on GSOB visit www.gsob.org

Escondido’s next General Municipal Election will be consolidated with the statewide general election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The election is for the purpose of selecting two City Council members: one to represent District Three and one to represent District Four; as well as the election of one City Treasurer. The nomination period for the election is now until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016. During this period prospective candidates need to schedule a meeting with the City Clerk to obtain nomination papers and other election-related materials. You must be a registered voter in Escondido at the time nomination papers are issued. Council candidates must also reside in the district they are seeking to represent.

For more information, please contact City Clerk Diane Halverson at 760-839-4617.